Yep, thought it was coming to a 3-star review judging by the other early ones. I'm still a bit baffled by some of the negativity around. Suddenly the lack of Stark in the suit, lots of talking and a fair few supporting characters and subplots which the critics loved in the first one became bad points in the second?

I can still see why it wouldn't be for some people, but still looking forward to it. I get the feeling a lot of reviewers were kind of hedging their bets in their write-ups, unsure how to judge it.

Scoop1980 -> RE: Iron Man 2 (27/4/2010 1:20:45 PM)

ray, that's what I was thinking.

Many reviewers online (here included) had been hyping this up to surpass the original IM which just doesn't help matters. You know with Rockwell on board you're going to get a good performance, and to be honest, Downey Jr can do no wrong at the moment.

I think it'll be a fun blast without the unnecessary need to go 'dark'.

For me, it was the same with Avatar - the hype surrounding the 3D technology meant many were commenting it would be the best film ever, and visually it was. Action-wise it was great fun but story-wise and the dialogue was woeful and unoriginal.

Beno -> RE: Iron Man 2 (27/4/2010 1:24:42 PM)

I may be wrong but im sure Empire gave the first Iron Man 3 stars too . It seems to be a review that wants no 2 to be all 'Dark Knight' , which was never going to happen . I just get the feeling that once i have seen it on Friday then this will be a review i disagree with . By the by ... is there a scene after the credits or not then ??

hatebox -> RE: Iron Man 2 (27/4/2010 1:26:38 PM)

I don't think reviewers are complaining that it's too light, just that the story's a bit of a clusterfuck, and that the makers didn't learn anything from Spider-Man 3. I'll judge for myself this weekend. Empire's review has been one of the more polite ones of what I've read. I've yet to read any glowing reports from non-fanboy bloggers.

rayhiggins -> RE: Iron Man 2 (27/4/2010 1:26:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Beno

I may be wrong but im sure Empire gave the first Iron Man 3 stars too . It seems to be a review that wants no 2 to be all 'Dark Knight' , which was never going to happen . I just get the feeling that once i have seen it on Friday then this will be a review i disagree with . By the by ... is there a scene after the credits or not then ??

Apparently, yes, there is. Without spoiling it, it is a reference to one of Marvel's two other big hitters currently in production.

Empire were right to give the first Iron Man 3 stars. All setup and no payoff.

MartinBlank76 -> RE: 3 Stars (27/4/2010 6:52:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rich

Well if it's the same 3 stars you gave the last one, I'm in.

This puts it as well as I could put it.

Kilo_T_Mortal -> RE: 3 Stars (27/4/2010 6:54:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MartinBlank76

quote:

ORIGINAL: rich

Well if it's the same 3 stars you gave the last one, I'm in.

This puts it as well as I could put it.

same.

hatebox -> RE: (28/4/2010 9:27:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tenacious P

Just watched this & I couldn't disagree more with Empire's verdict. The first movie was my favorite of 2008 & this sequel blows it out of the water. It was epic. Forget Dark Knight, this is what a super-sequel should be. 5 stars!!!

Every review I've read, even positive ones, say it isn't as good as the first. Empire are not alone on this one it seems.

captainrentboy -> RE: RE: (28/4/2010 10:03:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hatebox

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tenacious P

Just watched this & I couldn't disagree more with Empire's verdict. The first movie was my favorite of 2008 & this sequel blows it out of the water. It was epic. Forget Dark Knight, this is what a super-sequel should be. 5 stars!!!

Every review I've read, even positive ones, say it isn't as good as the first. Empire are not alone on this one it seems.

You clearly haven't read Harry Knowles' review over on AICN then. [:)] Shockingly he's gushing over it, talking about it hitting his 'sweet spot' *Puke* over and over again. I'm going to see this Saturday but oddly enough I haven't been particularly hyped up for it over the last year or so, going from a lot of reviews it seems that me having my hype levels in check was a good thing. God damn I hope Inception doesn't let me down, as this year's been a big load of shite so far.

JIm R -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 10:07:09 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hochopepa

I've read rumours that as with the first film there is an end of credits scene, does anybody know if this true?

Stay tuned until post credits - yes there is 'action' of an Avengers kind.....

Beno -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 10:30:46 AM)

There is one alright . Unless you are a Marvel fan you may not get what the after credits scene is about . But im the oldest geek on here ..... so i did .

adambatman82 -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 10:35:30 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Beno

There is one alright . Unless you are a Marvel fan you may not get what the after credits scene is about . But im the oldest geek on here ..... so i did .

Just seen it on youtube. I thought it was a twitter joke, as the folk that I know that saw it on Monday said there was nothing after their screening. I wouldn't have looked at the youtube video if I'd know it was real, as its pretty cool and I'd rather just have seen it in the cinema. That being said, it is VERY cool, and is up their with the excitement factor brought on by the Nick Fury cameo.

el_grande -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 10:43:00 AM)

It wasn't in my screening, but it definitely makes sense.

Hochopepa -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 10:43:24 AM)

Thanks guys, and I'm probably a big enough Marvel geek to get the references

Gazdance -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 11:40:47 AM)

Oh look, it must be nearly Summer. People are bitching because they don't agree with a star rating/are pointlessly comparing to other star ratings/blaming Empire for not keeping their own excitement levels in check.

It sounds like Iron Man 2 offers a little bit more of the same. I'm happy with that; the first was breezy, light entertainment and didn't drag. I like the character and I like the chosen actors. Am seeing it tonight at a private screening and am looking forward to it.

But, if I find out that Empire have seriously fucked up again and this film should have got five stars...well, I'm gonna kick off![;)]

porntrooper -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 12:09:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: adambatman82

quote:

ORIGINAL: Beno

There is one alright . Unless you are a Marvel fan you may not get what the after credits scene is about . But im the oldest geek on here ..... so i did .

Just seen it on youtube. I thought it was a twitter joke, as the folk that I know that saw it on Monday said there was nothing after their screening. I wouldn't have looked at the youtube video if I'd know it was real, as its pretty cool and I'd rather just have seen it in the cinema. That being said, it is VERY cool, and is up their with the excitement factor brought on by the Nick Fury cameo.

I know we don't condone piracy or any such rubbish, but if some one was kind enough to PM me how I may find this little tease.. as I doubt I can get the missus to sit through the credits!!

superdan -> RE: Is there an end of credits scene? (28/4/2010 12:11:01 PM)

Have just finished watching it, and in my opinion it is very much more of the same (which is, of course, a good thing). I found it thoroughly enjoyable, frequently funny and if you are looking forward to the future Avengers film there are a few details to keep your eyes peeled for.

It does suffer from most of the first film's faults, particularly a saggy middle-section, but it also ramps up the action sequences (which I always thought were slightly disappointing in the first one).

If you did not like the first film, I doubt there will be much here that will change your mind. However, if you did like it I cannot think of any reason why you would find this a less entertaining 2 hours. People may say the first one is better, but the first one had no expectation. It is inevitable that initially this sequel will be judged on stricter terms. I say leave all that bollocks in the foyer and enjoy. Well worth watching.

P.S.... Stay till the end.

GrimLock -> RE: (28/4/2010 6:02:07 PM)

I know what the secret ending is! Its when Tony goes home as Iron man, he flies over where he lives, looks down and see's The Sub Mariner Namor splashing around in Tonys paddling pool!!! [:D]

TheSpleen -> RE: RE: (28/4/2010 8:42:52 PM)

Empire, i love you. You are my one and only but please stop just explaining the plot in the reviews. I want a few surprises when i go see it but now i know what whiplash does in the 2nd act and have a pretty clear idea of the end. The blurb in the top does that without giving away too much. No one else felt it a bit spoilerific?

Invader_Ace -> RE: RE: (28/4/2010 9:34:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheSpleen

Empire, i love you. You are my one and only but please stop just explaining the plot in the reviews.

Agreed. There seems to be a lot of review recently (at least I've got that impression) that seem to go; "this happens, then this happens, and this happens at an awesome set piece at this place, but then we don't want to spoil the ending....it's Bill Murray!"

TheSpleen -> RE: RE: (28/4/2010 9:41:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Invader_Ace

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheSpleen

Empire, i love you. You are my one and only but please stop just explaining the plot in the reviews.

Agreed. There seems to be a lot of review recently (at least I've got that impression) that seem to go; "this happens, then this happens, and this happens at an awesome set piece at this place, but then we don't want to spoil the ending....it's Bill Murray!"

Exactly what i wanted to say but the words didn't come out right, thanks!

badassmofo -> RE: RE: (29/4/2010 1:20:13 AM)

Just got back from a staff screening, bit tired to say a hell of a lot but...

I think its on a par with the 1st, just. Its a hell of a lot of fun, the cast are great and the expanding of the universe is continued very well. The air comes out of the balloon a little in the middle third, yes, but I would argue that its because we aren't expecting the level of backstory they go into around Stark's family history. Its no where near Spider-Man 3 levels of meh EVER but there may be a touch of shuffling in seats but to have a blockbuster actually slow down is kinda... refreshing these days. Its an 8 out of 10 for me for now and I think it will stay there.

Oh and yes there is an end credits scene, its fairly easy to guess and its pretty short.

Garry Shandling as a snarky senator for the win.

londonnut -> RE: Better than they say (29/4/2010 11:55:44 AM)

Also saw it last night and what is everyone on?! It's BORING!!! Loved the first but this one just meanders along and just doesn't work in places (how awkward was the Scarlett Johanssen fight sequence?! Compare that to Kick Ass and it shows how this film fails on every level). Too much set-up, too much talk, too much 'charcter sparring' and overacting (Sam Rockwell) and nowhere near enough action to keep the audience entertained (there was A LOT of shuffling in seats). No stand-out set pieces. Seen it all before, nothing new. Boring.

Also saw it last night and what is everyone on?! It's BORING!!! Loved the first but this one just meanders along and just doesn't work in places (how awkward was the Scarlett Johanssen fight sequence?! Compare that to Kick Ass and it shows how this film fails on every level). Too much set-up, too much talk, too much 'charcter sparring' and overacting (Sam Rockwell) and nowhere near enough action to keep the audience entertained (there was A LOT of shuffling in seats). No stand-out set pieces. Seen it all before, nothing new. Boring.

Just back, and I have to agree. It lags in the middle more than any other studio film in recent memory. Were almost talking a Star Trek:The Motion Picture level of inactivity. Downey Jr & Rockwell are engaging enough, but the enjoyment of watching them ad-lib doesn't compensate for a major lack of narrative drive. Its still a decent franchise with a very appealing group of characters, but they need a structural rethink for part III.